Title of Invention

"AN IMAGE PROEJCTION SYSTEM"

Abstract System comprising an illumination system for moving bands of different colored light over the light valve, means for identifying the illumination color of each row of pixels of this light valve, means of managing video data of said images to control the writing of the pixels, means of synchronizing the video data sent to each row of pixels according to the illumination color of said row, identified by the identification means. The identification means comprise, level with certain rows of pixels of the light valve, at least one photosensitive sensor incorporated in the substrate and designed to identify in real time the illumination color of each row.
Full Text IMAGE PROJECTION SYSTEM COMPRISING A SINGLE IMAGER
WHICH IS EQUIPPED WITH PHOTOSENSITIVE SENSORS FOR THE
IDENTIFICATION OF ILLUMINATION COLOURS.
The invention relates to image projection systems
and/or image display systems comprising a light valve
or spatial light modulator (SPL), comprising a pixel
matrix array, for example liquid crystal on silicon
substrate (LCOS), digital micro-mirror device/display
(DMD) , or high temperature polysilicon (HTPS) , disposed
in rows and in columns on a substrate forming an active
matrix, mainly of silicon, an illumination system of
this light valve for moving bands of different colored
light, or "color scrolling", over the light valve
perpendicularly to said rows, means for identifying the
illumination color on each row or on each group of rows
of pixels of the light valve, means of managing video
data of said images for controlling the writing of the
pixels of the light valve, means of synchronizing the
video data sent to each row of the light valve
according to the illumination color of said row
identified by said identification means.
The image projection systems, commonly called
projectors or back projectors according to whether the
projection is from the front of the screen for
projectors or from the back for back projectors,
operate according to the same principle. An
illumination system uniformly lights one or more light
valves, the light is modulated after passing through
the light valve (s) in the case of the transmissive
light valves or after reflection on the light valve(s)
in the case of the reflective light valves. The duly
modulated light is then projected onto a screen.
For some years now, the trend has been towards singlelight-
valve, or single-valve, transmissive or
reflective type image projection systems, that are
smaller, offer a lower light efficiency but are less
expensive than the multiple-light-valve image
projection systems.
To generate color images, the projection systems of
this type sequentially display images of different
colors on the screen, normally the three primary colors
red, green and blue (RGB) , fast enough for the human
eye not to perceive the changes of color on the screen.
These image projection systems normally comprise
illumination devices for illuminating the single light
valve of an alternately red, green and blue light by
the use of color wheels, or partially red, green and
blue at the same time in the form of light bands by
"color scrolling", and scrolling perpendicularly to the
rows of the pixel array of the light valve, by the use
of systems that are described briefly below. The video
data controlling the writing of the pixels must then be
synchronized according to the color that each pixel
receives in order to form an image that is free of
defects for the viewer such as an inappropriate mix of
colors or a lowering of the contrasts of the image on
the screen.
In these systems, the synchronization between the
illumination system and the video data controlling the
writing of the pixels of the light valve is handled by
synchronization means that on the one hand measure a
position signal of the element of the illumination
system originating the scrolling of the different
colored light bands on the light valve to inform said
synchronization means of the illumination color of the
light sent to each pixel of the light valve by the
color wheel or the illumination system, and on the
other hand control the writing of the pixels according
to said measured signal. This synchronization is
relatively easy if the light valve is illuminated
alternately by a red, green and blue light, by the use
of the color wheel, for example, but it becomes more
complicated when the illumination of the light valve,
or to be more precise, the color of the incident light
on the liqht: valve, is made up of said bands of
different colored light and varies according to the
rows of pixels of the light valve. In particular, in
order to s£^feguard against the bleeding of colors into
each other (crosstalk), which causes a deterioration of
the quality of the image and in particular a loss of
contrast, the synchronization means are normally
programmed with safety margins in the generation of the
video data.
The document US 5 416 514 describes a projection system
with a transmissive light valve comprising an
illumination system (references 10, 12, 14, 16 in
figure 1 of the document) separating the white light
from a light source into bands of different colored
light by the use of a dichroic mirror device (reference
12 in figure 1 of the document). After passing through
an assembly of rotating prisms moved by a motor
(reference 14 in figure 1 of the document) and lenses
(reference 16 in figure 1 of the document), rectangular
bands of different colors scroll over the light valve
(reference 18 in figure 1 of the document) alternately.
In this document, and in reference to figure 6, the
video data (reference 112) from a video source
(reference 110) is sent to a video memory (reference
114) and controlled by a control circuit (reference
140) which receives a synchronization signal SYNC
(reference 118) from the video source (reference 112).
The video data output from the video memory (reference
114) is then sent for writing to the light valve
(reference 122) . A second control circuit (reference
142), linked to the first control circuit (reference
140) for receiving in particular the synchronization
signal SYNC (reference 118), controls the reading
(reference 130) of the video memory (reference 114) and
the writing (reference 132) of the pixels of the light
valve (reference 122). The motor (reference 125),
actuating the rotation of the prisms rotating in the
illumination system (reference 124) , is locked onto the
second control circuit (reference 142) to obtain the
rotation of the prisms rotating in accordance with the
synchronization signal SYNC (reference 118), so leading
to a scrolling of the different color light bands over
the light valve in synchronization with the video data
controlling the writing of the optical valves. The
control circuit (reference 142) also receives signals
in real time on the position, or phase, of the rotating
prism assembly from a position encoder (reference 127)
incorporated in the illumination system. For each
position, or phase, of the rotating prism assembly
there is a corresponding unique position on the light
valve of the different color light bands, and the
position encoder (reference 127) , which supplies this
position, or phase, signal, here constitutes a means of
identification of the illumination color of each row of
the light valve.
The means of identifying the illumination color of each
row of pixels comprising the device for measuring the
instantaneous position of the rotating prism assembly
does however have the drawback of relying on the
measurement of an assembly of high-inertia mechanical
elements, the prisms, which is liable, with time and
the rotation stresses to which it is subject, to become
misadjusted and introduce an offset, however slight,
between the measurement of the position of the rotating
prism assembly presumed to inform the synchronization
means of the illumination color of the light sent to
each pixel of the light valve, and the real position of
the different color light bands on the pixel array of
the light valve. This offset then leads to defects of
synchronization, color mix and a loss of contrasts as
stated previously.
One of the critical points is the mechanical assembly
of the rotating prism device. A rectangular slot,
located in front of each rotating prism, is normally
imaged on the screen. Its position, in particular in
the vertical plane of the light valve is critical, and
its rotation can lead to errors that the prism
synchronization system cannot detect.
In the case of an illumination system in which a color
wheel is used with helical red, green and blue bands
(otherwise known as a scrolling color wheel, SCR)
introduced in the Texas Instrument patent EP1098536,
adjustment and fabrication tolerances make the
synchronization of the scrolling of the light bands on
the light valve and the video data difficult.
Furthermore, the bands scrolling on the light valve are
slightly curved, which is not the case with the use of
rotating prisms or a rotating drum.
The documents E1199896 - HITACHI - and US2002/0149749 -
PHILIPS - describe projection systems with scrolling of
different color bands on the light valve, which present
the same risks of error on the identification of the
illumination color; no photosensitive sensor is used in
these systems to identify the illumination color
directly or indirectly at each instant.
One object of the invention is to avoid the
abovementioned problems.
To this end, the invention relates to an image
projection system comprising a light valve comprising a
pixel matrix array disposed in rows and columns on a
substrate forming an active matrix, an illumination
system for moving bands of different colored light over
the light valve, perpendicularly to said rows, means
for identifying the illumination color of each row of
pixels of the light valve, means of managing video data
of said light valves for controlling the writing of
said pixels of the light valve, means of synchronizing
the video data sent to each row of pixels of the light
valve according to the illumination color of said row
identified by said identification means, characterized
in that the identification means comprise at least one
photosensitive sensor disposed level with said pixels
of the light valve.
According to a variant of the invention, each sensor is
disposed level with a row of pixels of the light valve,
and there are fewer sensors than there are rows of
pixels, and the projection system comprises calculation
means for deducing the illumination color of the rows
of pixels that are not provided with a sensor according
to data delivered by said sensors.
This variant will now be described in the particular
case in which the light valve is provided only with a
single photosensitive sensor as the means of
identifying the illumination color of each row of
pixels of the light valve: in practice, this single
sensor is, for example, positioned on the light valve
level with a specific row of pixels; this single sensor
is designed to identify the illumination color of the
pixeIs of t:his row.
According to this single-sensor variant, the projection
system comprises calculation means designed to deduce,
from the illumination color of the pixels of this
specific row of pixels, the illumination color of each
row of pixels of the light valve. These calculation
means incorporate data relating to the width of the
color bands illuminating the light valve, where
appropriate, the width of black bands interposed
between the color bands, and/or the speed of movement
of the bands perpendicularly to the rows.
The illumination color of each row of pixels of the
light valve can be identified as follows:
- during the movement of the color bands, the
photosensitive sensor notes the instant of each change
or transition of color band at the level of the
specific row of pixels; this data is transmitted to the
calculation means, which, in a known manner, deduces
from it a given position of the color bands on the
light valve at that instant,
- from the time interval that elapses between two
successive changes, the calculation means deduce the
speed of movement of the color bands,
- from the transition instants, from the position of
the color bands at these instants, and from the speed
of movement of the bands, the calculation means
calculate the position of the color bands at each
instant and, from this, deduce the illumination color
of each row of pixels of the light valve at each
instant.
The same variant is applied in the case where the light
valve is provided with a plurality of sensors, each
positioned level with a row of pixels, the number of
sensors being less the number of rows: each sensor is
used to identify directly the illumination color of the
row of pixels with which it is associated and can be
used to identify indirectly, using the calculation
means described previously, the illumination color of
the rows of pixels that are not provided with sensors.
Preferably, in the projection system according to the
invention, the identification means comprise at least
one photosensitive sensor level with each row of pixels
of the light valve (12) and each sensor of a row is
designed to identify the illumination color of that
row. This then avoids the abovementioned calculation
means and a more reliable and precise identification of
the illumination colors of each row of pixels is
obtained.
The photosensitive sensor of each row of pixels of the
light valve thus identifies directly or "a posteriori",
in real time and reliably, the color of the light
actually received by each pixel of one and the same
row, and not indirectly as in the case of a single
sensor for all of the light valve, or "a priori" as
described in the prior art. The direct identification
of the illumination color results in a better
synchronization of the video data controlling the
writing of the pixels of the light valve with the true
identified illumination color. The synchronization,
performed for each row of pixels in turn, in particular
allows the use of sophisticated illumination systems
producing, for example, a scrolling of different color
light bands, or "color scrolling", without requiring
complex processing of the video data. This means that
each pixel of one and the same row can be written as
early as possible, and therefore the safety margins
programmed in certain synchronization means for
processing the video data and preserving the purity of
the colors can be reduced. The result is an overall
gain in brightness.
According to a preferred embodiment, the photosensitive
sensor positioned level with the pixels of the light
valve or each row of pixels of the light valve is
incorporated in the substrate, normally silicon, of the
light valve.
The photosensitive sensor(s) should be illuminated at
the place where the light beam still has the same
characteristics as the useful light beam illuminating
the active area of the light valve. The logic circuits
controlling the rows and columns of pixels of the light
valve are normally etched on the substrate, so each
photosensitive sensor advantageously has a circuit
etched on the same substrate as that supporting the
pixels of the light valve. Furthermore, the integration
advantageously performed during the light valve
fabrication process without significantly increasing
either the size of the component or the production
costs, given that there is sufficient space on the
substrate of the light valve to include on it the
photosensitive sensors and their connectors with the
other circuits of the light valve, and given that the
control circuits and these sensors can be formed by
similar technologies.
According to a characteristic, said photosensitive
sensor is designed to measure the illumination
intensity received by the row of pixels of the light
valve at the level of which it is positioned. The
modulation of the light by the light valve to form the
images is normally performed according to three
principles, A first principle is the attenuation of the
light for a fixed period, the second is the modulation
of the period without the light being attenuated, and
the third is the generation of pulses of variable
durations similar to a binary code. Knowing the
intensity of the illumination light makes it possible
to optimize the adjustment, depending on the case, of
the attenuation value, the pulse duration or the code
generated, and to restore the colors with greater
accuracy. Light flicker phenomena are generally induced
by the light: source and produce spurious variations of
the light intensity on the light valve. The
photosensitive sensors perceive these low frequency
beat phenomena and send the corresponding signals to
the video data management means which then
advantageously correct the writing of the pixels of the
light valve so as to compensate for these phenomena.
Since the wear of the light source contributes to
increasing the flicker phenomena over time, the
presence of photosensitive sensors on the light valve
advantageously preserves quality images throughout the
life of the source.
Preferably, said at least one photosensitive sensor
positioned level with each row of optical valves of the
light valve is associated with a colored filter. The
colored filter associated with the photosensitive
sensor is used on the one hand for precise
identification of the color of the light received, in
this instance the same color as that of the colored
filter, and on the other hand to measure the light
intensity of said colored light illuminating the row of
pixels level with which the photosensitive sensor is
positioned. A configuration comprising at least three
photosensitive sensors level with each row of pixels of
the light valve, each associated with a different color
filter, for example RGB, can advantageously be used to
precisely identify the three primary colors RGB of the
light bands received by each row of pixels and measure
their light, intensity in real time. This way, the time
variation and the level of each of the three RGB
signals are used to adjust and synchronize the video
dat^i for the three colors.
Preferably, said colored filter associated with the
photosensitive sensor of each row of pixels of the
light valve forms a continuous band associated with the
set of photosensitive sensors of each row of pixels of
the light valve responsible for identifying a
particular color, for example red, green or blue. The
colored filter thus forms a colored band that is simple
to produce, that is arranged, for example, by
multilayer deposition or deposition of absorbent layers
etched on the glass plate covering the light valve,
facing the row of the or each photosensitive sensor
located level with each row of pixels of the light
valve.
The invention will be better understood on reading the
description that follows, given by way of nonlimiting
example, and with reference to the appended figures in
which:
- figure 1 diagrammatically represents the main
elements of a single-valve image projection system;
- figure 2 presents a light valve, for example of LCOS
type, comprising, according to a preferred embodiment
of the invention, at least one photosensitive sensor
for each row of pixels;
- figure 3 presents a diagram describing the means of
synchronizing video data for synchronizing the video
data with the illumination color on the light valve
according to the invention;
- figure 4 describes the transverse cross section
through a row of pixels on one side of an LCOS type
light valve 12, according to the preferred embodiment
of the invention, at least one photosensitive sensor
121 level with each row of pixels 120 according to the
invention;
- figure 5 presents a light valve, for example of LCOS
type, comprising three photosensitive sensors for each
row of pixels according to a variant of the preferred
embodiment of the invention.
In order to simplify the description and disclose the
differences and advantages presented by the invention
compared to the prior art, identical references are
used for those elements that provide the same
functions.
A single-valve projection system is diagrammatically
represented in figure 1. The system comprises an
illumination system 1 mainly comprising a light source
2 which sends light to a device 10 responsible for
separating the light into different color light beams,
for example in different color light bands, through an
intermediate optical device 3, normally a collimation
device. In this respect, there are different devices
for forming on the single light valve scrolling colored
light bands, red, green and blue for example, in
particular by the use of helical filtered color wheels,
described in Texas Instruments patent EP1098536, or by
the use of rotating prism devices described for example
in the paper by Matthew S. Brennesholtz, SID
Information Display, pages 20 to 22, 07/2002 or Philips
patent US6097352. Another type of device for
illuminating the light valve with different color light
bands consists in sending the light from the light
source on oscillating colored filter bands as described
in Olympus patent JP60-053901. These different devices
will not be; described further.
The light from an illumination system 1 illuminates a
transmissive or reflective light valve 12 comprising a
pixel array, the writing of which is managed by a video
data generator, not shown here, mainly associated with
synchronization means 11 for synchronizing the light
from the pixel illumination system with the video data
from the video data generator or, conversely, for
synchronizing the video data controlling the writing of
the pixels of the light valve 12 to modulate the
incident light, according to the illumination color of
the light on these valves. After transmission, or
reflection, on the light valve 12, the duly modulated
light is projected onto a screen 5 via an optical
device 4. The devices 3 and 4, and the light source 2,
are known per se and will not be described further.
Figure 2 shows a light valve 12 comprising, according
to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least
one photosensitive sensor 121 level with each row of
pixels 120. The light valve 12 comprises a pixel matrix
array 120, for example of the liquid crystal on silicon
(LCOS) type or of the digital micromirror device (DMD)
type, the writing of which is controlled by the video
data generator and the synchronization means not shown
in figure 2. The or each photosensitive sensor 121 is
incorporated in the substrate of the light valve 12,
for example on the silicon substrate in the case of an
LCOS type light valve. According to a first embodiment,
a single photosensitive sensor 121 without colored
filter is incorporated in the substrate 100 level with
each row of pixels 120 of the light valve 12, all of
these sensors 121 then forming, for example, a column
of sensors; 121. When one of these photosensitive
sensors 122 is illuminated, like the row of pixels with
which it is associated, by a colored light band, it
transmits a signal corresponding to the perceived
illumination color. The signal will be different if the
illumination color changes. This signal difference is
enough to identify, in the video data generator, the
illumination color on each row of pixels 120 of the
light valve 12. According to a variant of this
embodiment, a photosensitive sensor 121 is incorporated
in the substrate of the light valve on either side of
each row of the pixel array of the light valve 12, in
order to have a more reliable and symmetrical
measurement of the received illumination.
According to a variant that will now be described,
three photosensitive sensors 121' are incorporated
level with each row of pixels 120. According to other
embodiments, the photosensitive sensors 121 are
incorporated in the substrate of the light valve 12
within the very pixel array 120 of the light valve 12,
or on the substrate of the transparent plate, normally
of glass, receiving the counter-electrode.
With reference to figure 3, there now follows a
description of the synchronization means 11 of a
projection system comprising a rotating prism type
illumination system. A video source 13 supplying mainly
a video scream and a synchronization signal SYNC is
linked to a controller 14 responsible on the one hand
for transmitting the video data 131 to a video data
generator 15 and on the other hand for driving the
mechanical part of the colored band formation device
10. The colored band formation device 10 comprises, for
example, a rotating prism assembly 17 and, in
particular in its mechanical part, a locked motor 16
for rotating the rotating prisms. The controller 14 is
also responsible for synchronizing "a priori", in
particular using the synchronization signal SYNC, the
generation of the video data 131' in the generator 15,
before writing the pixels 120 of the light valve 12,
and the angular position of the rotating prism assembly
17 via a locking device of the drive motor 161. Such
synchronization is known in the prior art, in
particular in Philips document US5416514 (columns 7 and
According to the invention, each photosensitive sensor
121 level with the light valve 12 is, like the row of
pixels 120 with which it is associated, illuminated by
the moving colored light bands, which are projected on
the light valve via the rotating prism assembly 17, and
transmits in real time a signal 18 corresponding to the
perceived illumination color to a signal processing
device 151 in the video data generator 15 for
identification. The illumination color is determined,
for example in the video data generator 15, by
analyzing the received signal level, by knowing a
priori the spectral composition of the light for each
of the red, green or blue states, and the spectral
response of the photosensitive sensor 121. The video
data generator 15 processes the information on color
with the video data corresponding to it to control in
real time the writing of the pixels 120 of each row of
the light valve 12 for which the illumination color is
thus directly identified. This "a posteriori"
synchronization results from the direct identification
of the illumination color on each row of pixels 120: it
is performed in real time and is very accurate.
The identification of the illumination color on each
row of pixels by the presence of the photosensitive
sensors 121 according to the invention, and the "a
posteriori" synchronization 11' associated with it, is
used in particular, in the case of image projection
systems using an "a priori" type synchronization as
described previously, to correct, for example, the
offsets or misadjustments which can occur in the
mechanical part 16 of the illumination system 10.
According to a variant, the "a posteriori"
synchronization means 11' according to the invention
are sufficient in themselves to synchronize the video
data 131 with the illumination color on the light valve
12; in the absence of a priori synchronization, the use
of an inexpensive and non-locked drive motor 161 then
becomes possible, so simplifying the illumination
system 10.
With reference to figure 4, there now follows a
description of the transverse cross section on one side
of an LCDS type light valve 12 comprising, according to
the preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one
photosensitive sensor 121 level with each row of pixels
120 according to the invention. On a silicon substrate
100 on which are marked the logic control circuits of
the component, there is deposited a layer of aluminum
101 and dielectric layers 102 for maximizing the
reflectivity and insulating the circuits from incident
radiation. Above, between two alignment layers 103, a
space is provided of even thickness into which is
inserted the liquid crystal 104, sealed above the
second alignment layer 103 by a transparent plate 106,
normally of glass, on which are disposed, on its face
turned towards the substrate 100, fine transparent
metal tracks 105 of indium tin oxide (ITO). Finally,
around the periphery of the component, a seal 122 seals
the substrate 100 and the transparent plate 106 to
ensure a good seal tightness. According to the
invention, the at least one photosensitive sensor 121
level with each row of pixels 120 is incorporated in
the substrate 100 of the light valve by reserving on
the substrate 100 a silicon area 110 without the
metallization layer 101 and the other processes
specific to the light valve that have been described
briefly above. According to a variant, the set of
silicon areas 110 reserved on the substrate form a
band, vertical for example, within which are
incorporated the photosensitive sensors 121 correctly
aligned with the useful rows of pixels 120 of the light
valve 12.
The substrate 100 of the light valve in this case, of
LCOS type, is made of silicon, but the invention more
generally concerns the incorporation of the set of
photosensitive sensors 121 in substrates forming an
active matrix. The invention is applied equally to DMD
type light valves. Figure 4 also describes a
photosensitive sensor 121, for example of broad
spectrum type made of silicon, level with each row of
pixels 120. This type of sensor is used to detect a
strong signal, the junction being formed by P 107 in
N 108 chambers or vice versa. The sensor located at the
periphery of the pixel array 120 should be lit by rays
from the light beam that present the same
characteristics as the useful beam lighting the active
area of the LCOS 12, in other words, the pixel array
120. This light beam passes through the sheet of glass
106 covering the light valve, that is LCOS 12, the
liquid crystal 104 and any transparent layers, for
example the layers 102, improving the reflectivity.
An embodiment wherein a transistor is associated with
the photosensitive sensor(s) constitutes an active
device with "memory" for saving, for example, the
information on the perceived illumination color and
sending a signal to the signal processing device 151 in
the video data generator 15 only when the illumination
changes.
According to a variant, each photosensitive sensor 121
has associated with it a colored filter 109, for
example red or green or blue. The simple configuration
according to which a single photosensitive sensor 121,
associated with a colored filter 109, is incorporated
level with each row of pixels 120 of the light valve 12
provides for precise identification of a color, that of
the colored filter 109 for example, and/or measurement
of the light intensity of the light band. The precise
identification, in real time, of a single illumination
color is sufficient, in the case where the scrolling
speed and the illumination area of each of the
different color light bands are known or fixed, to
determine, in the video data generator, the
illumination color level with each row of pixels 120 of
the light valve 12.
With reference to figure 5, a variant of the invention
is presented which consists in incorporating in the
substrate 100 three photosensitive sensors 121 level
with each row of pixels 120, each of the sensors being
associated with a colored filter 109 of different
color, for example red, green and blue. In this
configuration, the temporal variation and the level of
each of the three signals, red, green and blue, are
used in the video data generator to synchronize and
adjust the video data for the three colors. A
particular case of application for maximizing the use
of the light stream for non-saturated images consists
in replacing one or more of the three illumination
colors R, G, B with a secondary color, yellow, magenta
or cyan for example, or by a combination of primary and
secondary colors. The video data generator, using the
signal from the photosensitive sensors, best defines
the writing of the pixels to correctly restore the
original colors of the image.
The set of the colored filters of the same color
associated with the photosensitive sensors forms,
according to a variant of the invention, a colored
band, for example vertical. These colored filters or
bands associated with the photosensitive sensors are,
with reference to figure 4, arranged in contact on the
sensors (filter 109 in figure 4) or, according to a
variant of the invention, inscribed on or in the
transparent plate 106, facing the sensors with which
they are associated (filter 109' in figure 4).
According to a variant of the embodiments described
previously, the or each photosensitive sensor 121 is
incorporated in the substrate of the light valve, on
either side1 of each row of the pixel array of the light
valve 12, in order to have a more reliable and
symmetrical measurement of the received illumination.
Finally, without departing from the invention, any
other type of photosensitive sensor can be used.
The invention applies also to the cases where the light
valve is provided with only a single photosensitive
sensor which is used, as described previously, for
indirect identification of the illumination color of
each row of pixels of the light valve.
The invention applies also to the intermediate cases in
which the light valve is provided with a plurality of
photosensitive sensors, but fewer than the number of
rows of pixels, each associated with a row of pixels of
the light valve, which are used not only for the direct
identification of the illumination color of the rows of
pixels with which they are associated, but also for the
indirect identification of the illumination color of
the other rows of pixels.



CLAIMS
1. An image projection system comprising:
- a light valve (12) comprising a pixel matrix
array (120) disposed in rows and columns on a
substrate (100) forming an active matrix,
- an illumination system (1) for moving bands of
different colored light over the light valve
(12), perpendicularly to said rows,
- means for identifying the illumination color of
each row of pixels (120) of the light valve
(12) ,
- means of managing video data (15) of said images
for controlling the writing of said pixels of
the light valve (12),
- means of synchronizing (11) the video data sent
to each row of pixels (120) of the light valve
(12) according to the illumination color of said
row identified by said identification means,
characterized in that the identification means comprise at least one photosensitive sensor disposed level with said pixels of the light valve (12) .
2. The image projection system as claimed in claim 1,
characterized in that each sensor is disposed
level with a row of pixels of the light valve, and
in that there are fewer sensors than there are
rows of pixels, and in that it comprises
calculation means for deducing the illumination
color of the rows of pixels that are not provided
with a sensor according to data delivered by said
sensors.
3. The image projection system as claimed in claim 1,
characterized in that the identification means
compr^.se at least one photosensitive sensor (121)
level with each row of pixels (120) of the light

valve (12), each sensor of a row being designed to identify the illumination color of that row.
4. The image projection system as claimed in any one
of the preceding claims, characterized in that the
or each photosensitive sensor (121) of the light
valve (12) is incorporated in said substrate
(100).
5. The image projection system as claimed in claim 3
or claim 4 dependent on claim 3, characterized in
that the or each photosensitive sensor (121) level
with each row of pixels (120) is designed to
measure the illumination intensity of each row of
pixels (120) of the light valve (12).
6. The image projection system as claimed in any one
of the preceding claims, characterized in that the
or each photosensitive sensor (121) is associated
with a colored filter (109).
7. The image projection system as claimed in claim 6,
characterized in that said colored filter (109)
associated with said photosensitive sensor (121)
of each row of pixels (120) of the light valve
(12) forms a continuous band associated with the
set of photosensitive sensors (121) of each row of
pixels (120) of the light valve (12).
8. The image projection system as claimed in any one
of the preceding claims, characterized in that the
light, valve (12) is of reflective type.



Documents:

2842-DELNP-2005-Abstract-(28-02-2008).pdf

2842-delnp-2005-abstract.pdf

2842-DELNP-2005-Claims-(17-03-2008).pdf

2842-DELNP-2005-Claims-(28-02-2008).pdf

2842-delnp-2005-claims.pdf

2842-DELNP-2005-Correspondence-Others-(17-03-2008).pdf

2842-DELNP-2005-Correspondence-Others-(26-07-2005).pdf

2842-DELNP-2005-Correspondence-Others-(27-06-2005).pdf

2842-DELNP-2005-Correspondence-Others-27-05-2008.pdf

2842-delnp-2005-correspondence-others.pdf

2842-DELNP-2005-Description (Complete)-(17-03-2008).pdf

2842-DELNP-2005-Description (Complete)-(28-02-2008).pdf

2842-delnp-2005-description (complete).pdf

2842-DELNP-2005-Drawings-(28-02-2008).pdf

2842-delnp-2005-drawings.pdf

2842-DELNP-2005-Form-1-(17-03-2008).pdf

2842-DELNP-2005-Form-1-(28-02-2008).pdf

2842-delnp-2005-form-1.pdf

2842-delnp-2005-form-18.pdf

2842-DELNP-2005-Form-2-(28-02-2008).pdf

2842-delnp-2005-form-2.pdf

2842-DELNP-2005-Form-3-(28-02-2008).pdf

2842-delnp-2005-form-3.pdf

2842-delnp-2005-form-5.pdf

2842-DELNP-2005-GPA-(28-02-2008).pdf

2842-delnp-2005-gpa.pdf


Patent Number 218529
Indian Patent Application Number 2842/DELNP/2005
PG Journal Number 24/2008
Publication Date 13-Jun-2008
Grant Date 02-Apr-2008
Date of Filing 27-Jun-2005
Name of Patentee THOMSON LICENSING S.A.
Applicant Address 46 QUAI ALPHONSE LE GALLO, F-92100 BOULOGNE-BILLANCOURT, FRANCE.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 KHALED SARAYEDDINE 12 RUE DU DOUAIRS, 35410 NOUVOITOU, FRANCE.
2 LAURENT BLONDE 30, RUE PIERRE-JAKEZ HELIAS, 35235 THORIGNE-FOUILLARD, FRANCE.
PCT International Classification Number H04N 9/31
PCT International Application Number PCT/EP2004/050003
PCT International Filing date 2004-01-05
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 0300228 2003-01-07 France